NFL

Feed

> View All

Find out everything you need to know to defeat your friends and family in sports video games.
Check It Out Now

The NFC West, Now and Later

By JOHN SCHAEFER,

AOL Sports

Posted: 2008-07-02 11:04:48

Filed Under: NFL, Sports

AOL Sports continues its look at how the eight NFL divisions currently stand, while trying to figure out how their key storylines will play oout. Next up is the NFC West. The Cardinals and 49ers were recent chic picks to unseat the Seahawks, only to fall flat. Is this the year that Seattle finally gets dethroned?

More Divisional PreviewsAFC West | NFC North | AFC North | NFC South | AFC South

NFC West Storylines

Matt York, AP

It's time for Matt Leinart to get serious about his career. Don't count on him showing much improvement this season, however.

1 of 5PHOTOS

X | Close

NFC West Storylines Now

Seattle has won four straight division titles. A fifth would serve as a going-away present for Mike Holmgren, who has already said this will be his last season as coach. His farewell tour might turn out to be a major distraction ... If it's summer, then it must be time for observers to proclaim the Cardinals as the sleeper team to watch. If talented Arizona is to wake up and finally live up to its promise, it needs Matt Leinart to generate Kurt Warner-like production without all the turnovers ... San Francisco seemed poised to contend for the playoffs last year after a strong finish in 2006, but a putrid offense instead had Mike Nolan on the hot seat. He gets another chance by the Bay, and new offensive coordinator Mike Martz could be what the Niners need to wake up their slumbering attack ... Remember when the Rams were the Greatest Show on Turf? Now they are little more than a Rocky Horror Football Show. Still, a healthy Marc Bulger should stabilize the offense, and rookie Chris Long has the talent to make a big impact on St. Louis' dreadful defense.

NFC West Storylines Later

The Seahawks won't let something like Holmgren's lameduck status affect them. The addition of Julius Jones will give the running game a needed boost, and the underrated Lofa Tatupu leads a defense that was sixth in points allowed per game last year. Seattle is clearly the team to beat in the NFC West and it will finish '08 with its crown resting comfortably on its head ... There are good reasons the jury remains out on Leinart as a pro. He has been injury prone in his brief career and he seems more intent on being an all-star party boy than an All-Pro quarterback. The pressure is on in what could be his final year in the desert. Don't look for him to turn his career around any time soon ... Frank Gore came on strong at the end of last season for San Francisco. He remains the key to the 49ers' fortunes. Gore could crack the 1,500-yard barrier in '08, which could propel the Niners into the playoff hunt ... St. Louis has the potential to emerge as the surprise team of this season. Why? The defense showed signs in 2007 of turning the corner, and the addition of Long could be significant. A healthy Bulger should help improve an unsightly minus-10 turnover margin. And don't forget that Steven Jackson still is one of the most feared weapons in the game. The playoffs probably won't happen, but a .500 record is certainly within reach.

How NFC West Stacks Up Now

1. Seahawks
2. Cardinals
3. 49ers
4. Rams

How NFC West Will Stack Up Later

1. Seahawks
2. Cardinals
3. 49ers
4. Rams

Latest NFL Photos

Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Tony Romo (9) and Brad Johnson (14) prepare to make passes during NFL football training camp, Friday, July 25, 2008, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, bottom left, drops back to make a pass during drills at an NFL football training camp, Friday, July 25, 2008, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, left, chats with head coach Wade Phillips during an NFL football training camp practice, Friday, July 25, 2008, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Members of the media take photographs and look on as the team goes through its first football training camp practice, Friday, July 25, 2008, in Oxnard, Calif. The Cowboys reported that nearly 4,000 fans showed up to the opening of their NFL camp. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones looks on at drills during the teams NFL football training camp, Friday, July 25, 2008, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush (25) sprints upfield during the afternoon practice session at the NFL football team's training camp in Jackson, Miss., Friday, July 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones reaches out for a pass during drills at the NFL football team's training camp, Friday, July 25, 2008, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens waves to fans after arriving to the practice field during NFL training camp, Friday, July 25, 2008, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner throws over teammate Matt Leinart's back during the first day of the NFL football team's training camp Friday, July 25, 2008, in Flagstaff, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks Matt Leinart (7), Kurt Warner (13) Brian St. Pierre (2) and Anthony Morelli (12) take snaps during the first day of their NFL football training camp Friday, July 25, 2008, in Flagstaff, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

2008-05-29 17:09:58